Matt Hernandez is an accomplished aviation and safety management leader with over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry. As the Vice President of Enterprise Partnerships at USI, Matt utilizes his deep expertise in safety management systems (SMS) and his extensive background in aviation to drive innovation and strategic partnerships that foster business growth and operational excellence.
Throughout his career, Matt has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety, compliance, and operational efficiency across global organizations. He is particularly known for his role in developing and implementing SMS frameworks that align with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
Previously, as Head of Safety at Zipline International, a leading drone delivery company, Matt led the creation and implementation of the company’s SMS, which earned FAA Part 135 certification as well as FAA Voluntary SMS Acceptance. His leadership contributed to an improved safety culture, and he played a pivotal role in the development and fielding of Zipline’s autonomous delivery system.
Prior to his time at Zipline, Matt held key roles at Amazon in Prime Air, where he led global teams of safety managers and technical systems engineers to enhance the safety and reliability of autonomous aircraft.
Matt’s aviation career began in the U.S. Army, where he served in various roles, including Battalion Safety Officer and Air Mission Commander. In these positions, he was responsible for leading safety initiatives that resulted in an annual reduction in incidents, as well as facilitating training programs that led to a zero-incident record in operations for multiple consecutive years.
Matt is a passionate advocate for advancing safety standards in aviation and unmanned systems, and he actively contributes to industry initiatives. He previously served as Co-Chair of the Unmanned Aircraft Safety Team (UAST), an FAA/industry partnership focused on developing best practices for autonomous vehicle safety, and holds the following certifications & qualifications:
Department of Transportation (DOT) Accident Investigator
Commercial Helicopter Pilot with Instrument Endorsement (FAA)
Certified Safety Officer (FAA)
OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Trainer
U.S. Army Accident Board President Qualification
Matt is dedicated to continuously improving aviation safety through innovative solutions and strategic leadership.